Is CHM a waste of money for healthy people?, David Mann, Bigfork, Minn.

*Editor’s note: This information was published in the August 2022 issue of Heartfelt Magazine, CHM’s monthly magazine that provides CHM membership-related tips and tricks, medical advice from doctors, testimonies from CHM members, and more. Please refer to the CHM Guidelines and applicable web pages for the most up-to-date information regarding CHM membership, sharing eligibility, and ministry news.*

When we were searching for health cost support, we discovered CHM, and signed up for the Gold membership level with Brother’s Keeper. I became a CHM member along with my son, Ezra, and, two years later, my daughter, Esther.

By the grace of God, we’ve had zero medical incidents. None for me, none for my four-year-old son, and none for my two-year-old daughter since her birth. For this, we thank God.

From a certain perspective, one might begin to entertain the thought that my monthly financial gifts have been a waste of money, seeing as how I myself haven’t gotten any financial return from CHM. Over the last four years, I’ve contributed some $15,000, and I’ve never received a reimbursement check.

This begs the question: Is CHM a waste of money for healthy people?

That thought couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s been a joy, these four years, to send in my financial gift, month by month, to fellow Christ-followers in need. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the body of Christ, to give special honor and care to parts in need (1 Cor. 12:22-24). I realize six percent of our financial gifts go directly to the CHM office, but I don’t mind that either, since the CHM staff are kind, wise with how they steward our resources, and do exceptional prayer-warrior work while going about their daily tasks.

I’m honored that CHM equips us to join in praying for the specific members listed on our gift statement, send them a card, offload some of Ezra and Esther’s crayon “artwork,” and to pray through the magazine. And I’ve been honored to give toward Prayer Page needs as well.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to leave CHM. But it was too late: I was too attached to my CHM family to back out. So here I am, still paying in, with nary a reimbursement check to my name, but with lots and lots of joy. (Not that I’d wish for a broken arm or something to even things out, but you get the idea!)

Sure, someday I’ll have my turn when sickness comes and I’ll find myself the receiver rather than giver only. But for now, I’m fine with it being the other way. Jesus says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:25). And I agree: it is a blessing to give! Thank you, CHM family, for enabling generosity, for meeting needs, and for shining the light of Christ’s love.